Pros:
Taken online. Instructions are very clear compared to other online courses. Class requirements make sense and don't feel like busy work.

Professor rated by: Elementary Ed (MTSU&RODP) Student on 4/12/11

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

+5 Helpful

1

HIST 2010 - US History I

Mr. Lykens is an ex-preacher and everything he says pertains to God and his beliefs. He skipped over several major events in history only to cover the religious aspects not even in the book. His lectures are extremely boring because he sits behind ...
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Mr. Lykens is an ex-preacher and everything he says pertains to God and his beliefs. He skipped over several major events in history only to cover the religious aspects not even in the book. His lectures are extremely boring because he sits behind his desk and reads from a book. Attendance is mandatory so if you must take him, take something to class to keep you busy.

Exams: The tests were open book but the questions didn't come straight from the book. Sometimes there were two answers that could fit and he picked which answer he wanted to be correct.

Homework: There was a three page research paper. There was a book report for extra credit.

Textbook: Be sure to buy the text book because Mr. Lykens notes consist of his ramblings during lecture.

Professor rated by: Student on 1/11/06

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

+2 Helpful

Student Ratings 1 - 20 of 24

HIST 1120

Survey of World History II

5

Pros: Taken online. Instructions are very clear compared to other online courses. Class requirements make sense and don't feel like busy work.

This was an online course and Mr. Lykens was awesome about responding to questions. We had some technical glitches which wouldn't allow us to take tests by assigned due dates and he was very understandingand made sure that we had ample time to complete them once up.

Exams: Open book/notes. They were fairly hard questions but if you do the reading, you'll have a better idea as to where to find the answers. Some of the questions were tricky, especially the T/F.

Textbook: Expensive but there was an online version that was $70 cheaper. The professor used it alot.

Professor rated by: Student on January 17, 2008

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

HIST 1110

Survey of World History I

4

This is the EASIEST professor to take. I love Professor Lykens. He CANNOT hold the attention of the class though. As for his lectures, he mumbles alot so you cant really understand what he says and he talks really fast. For the course, show up for class! Attendence is required and he lowers your grade one letter for each missed class. Do good on the research paper and turn it in early for extra points. Also, at the end of the semester you have to fill out how much of the required reading you have done, but if you completed all the study guides, it replaces it. If you want an easy, but boring course, take this class...

Exams: The quizzes were all open book, open note. He wrote down next to each question which chapter the answer could be found in. He also gave three study guides for the quizzes.

Homework: You had to do a research paper and it's worth ALL of you homework grade.

Textbook: Two textbooks were required, but you needed only one to do the work and the quizzes.

Professor rated by: Student on January 11, 2006

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

HIST 1120

Survey of World History II

5

I HIGHLY RECOMMENED PROFESSOR LYKENS! He's is the absolute nicest professor that I have ever met at MTSU. He is an all around caring and genuine person. Yes, you have work to do, but, I promise that he is a great teacher and an all around nice person. He replies to emails very fast and makes you feel more comfortable if you feel you aren't doing good. I would love to take more of his classes as he made the class enjoyable with his friendly emails. I really appreciate him for it is rare to find a teacher that is so receptive and understanding.

Homework: This was an online class so you have discussions every week and need to respond to other students post. It's pretty easy, but you should defintely do your reading. The reading wasn't terrible, and I would have much rather read his lectures than any other classes. You would have some questions and such to fill out, but, as long as you kept on top of your reading, you'd be fine.

Professor rated by: Student on September 14, 2008

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

HIST 1110

Survey of World History I

5

I took him by chance. It ended up being a good thing, he was a new teacher thought and he did not quite have his "grove" down as to how to do the lectures. He mainly stood up front and talked the whole time, but as the semester progressed he brought in picture slides/movies to try and make the class more interesting. I will not lie this class is tons of work, he would give us a/r 50 words/questions for each chapter do to for the test but before the test he gave us what questions would be on it. also the reasearch paper was given ample time and if turned in early you got extra credit! Overall to me it was a Moderate A i had to work for it! but he is a good man.

Exams: he is a good teacher.

Homework: none, we had one research paper and it was good because if we handed it in before thanksgiving he gave us 100 extra credit points!

Textbook: its a must, lots of reading.

Professor rated by: Student on April 11, 2006

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

HIST 2010

US History I

1

Mr. Lykens is an ex-preacher and everything he says pertains to God and his beliefs. He skipped over several major events in history only to cover the religious aspects not even in the book. His lectures are extremely boring because he sits behind his desk and reads from a book. Attendance is mandatory so if you must take him, take something to class to keep you busy.

Exams: The tests were open book but the questions didn't come straight from the book. Sometimes there were two answers that could fit and he picked which answer he wanted to be correct.

Homework: There was a three page research paper. There was a book report for extra credit.

Textbook: Be sure to buy the text book because Mr. Lykens notes consist of his ramblings during lecture.

Professor rated by: Student on January 11, 2006

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

HIST 1010

Survey Western Civilization I

4

If you like History take this class. I learned alot from this class, but the instructor was not organized in his grading, or the directions for assignments.

Exams: Just read the book and the test are easy.

Homework: The course was online so there were discussion board topics over readings for the week. There was one paper that had to be 4-5 pages. There were also questions to answer from the textbook.

Professor rated by: Student on November 12, 2009

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

HIST 2010

US History I

4

Okay, here's the deal. This class was an easy A! We had two essays and one research paper, both graded incredibly easy. Tons of extra credit is offered. Quizzes are easy if you can find everything in the book, which is the hardest part. HOWEVER, this class is incredibly boring. He doesn't do much of anything to keep the class's attention, and nothing he covers in class is helpful for the quizzes. He's also weird when you ask him a questions. He always just says "Uh huh, yeah" and smiles. Just bring something to class to stay occupied because attendance is required, and, after one abscence, he docks points off of your attendance grade. Professor Lykens is a good man, though, and I did learn some interesting things in here, even though I was bored half the time. The final was lame, though, because he told us it would be 2/3 old test questions, and it was MAYBE 15% and that's probably a generous figure. I would take him for this class again, but I didn't for HIST2020.

Exams: All open book! FIND THE PAGE NUMBERS IN THE BOOK WHERE THE ANSWERS ARE AT! Don't just guess, because the questions can be tricky unless you find the answer in the book, which is usually word for word.

Homework: Study guide for each chapter with 5-10 questions per chapter. Not too much, although all it's helpful for is kind of knowing where everything is for the quizzes when you're flipping through the book.

Textbook: You have to have the textbook for this class, otherwise you won't do well on the quizzes or final because almost nothing he covers in class shows up on the quizzes!

Professor rated by: Student on December 14, 2006

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

HIST 2010

US History I

4

He just moved here from Oregon, and Fall 05 was his first semester here. So his classes may change.

-

I occasionally brought other reading to class to occupy my time, class was relatively boring and after about 2 weeks most of the class did the same. Show up for class since attendence is taken and accounts for 10% of your grade - though he did give one absence. He let us drop our lowest quiz grade, Research paper was very easily graded. I did it in one night and got a high A. Average in the class was probably a 90. A LOT of Extra credit for turning it in eary (5 points on final grade). A couple classes where we had discussions. I'd take him again.

Exams: There was always 1-2 questions on the tests which could have had 2 answers

Homework: No HW, only 1 Research Paper. Reading was 20% of grade, but if you answer all study guide questions - it accounts for almost all reading. One outside book, not covered in class but he wanted you to read it. One novel, book report for extra credit (5 points on final grade)

Textbook: I only used the textbook to answer Study Guide questions - get a group of 4-5 people and split it up.

Professor rated by: Student on January 17, 2006

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

HIST 2020

US History II

5

Prof Lykens is very very fair. If you do the work and show up to class you will get an A. Because the tests are open book you may think that you do not need to do work. Wrong, his tests are tricky even with open book and group help you will need to read to do well.

Prof Lykens does not give a lot of homework and is very fair. If you hate Hist but must take a class Prof Lykens is your best bet at passing.

Exams: All tests except the final are "open book, open notes and open minds". Final is "open minds"

Homework: Reading and a term paper. Lots of extra credit offered.

Textbook: Textbook vital. Lectures may fall behind reading but you will be expected to know material for tests.

Professor rated by: Student on December 13, 2007

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

HIST 1110

Survey of World History I

2

Lykens was an okay character before class, but once he got into lecture-mode, the class was a huge bore. History is difficult subject to make interesting and he proved that stupendously. He basically read his lecture from his computer notes and had a hard time speaking clearly. There was no clear organization in his lectures and they had little to do with what the tests actually covered. I'd be suprised if anyone in the class took notes from the lectures.

Exams: All test but the final were open note and open book. He made a point of including 2 or 3 badly worded questions to screw students up on.

Homework: There was one research paper that he graded extremely soft.

Professor rated by: Student on January 11, 2006

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

HIST 2010

US History I

5

I loved this online class it helped me learn because I actually had to read out of the textbook but the homework was super easy!! I recommend him when taking this class for sure!!!!

Exams: This was an online class and you had an hour and a half to complete the test so you had plenty of time to use the book.

Homework: The only thing we had to do was read the chapters and lectures required that he posted and answer his question. We also had to respond to 2 classmates' responses and if we responded to more than that it was extra credit. He gave a ton of things to do for extra credit!! Very easy!!

Textbook: YOU WILL NEED THE BOOK!!! It helps you on the tests!!!

Professor rated by: Student on August 19, 2009

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

HIST 1010

Survey Western Civilization I

5

I am grateful I took Lyken's class. He is a great professor who gives you more than enough chances to earn an A. There are several opportunities for extra credit. The class is interesting and you learn alot. I would definately recommend him!!

Exams: The tests were not bad and you had more than enough time to complete them.

Homework: There were weekly questions over the chapters you were supposed to read and you had to converse with other students over the subjects. There were other assignments rarely.

Textbook: You need the text for the homework and tests.

Professor rated by: Student on April 14, 2009

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

HIST 1020

Survey Western Civilization II

5

at first i didn't think i was going to like his class, but he's really fair about everything and is willing to work with you. he does take attendance so show up!

Exams: he lets you drop the lowest grade.. he also gives you study guides that you should answer

Homework: research paper, study guides, assigned readings

Textbook: you needed this in order to know what you were doing in his class

Pros: Do the work and you will make an A. All of the tests are online and consequently open book. LOTS of extra credit if you need it. The prof know his stuff and is a passionate student of history.

Cons: There is quite a bit of work. Even online and multiple choice, the tests are still fairly difficult.(e.g. What is the obscure fact at the bottom of page 832 in the sidebar? kind of stuff.) The book is really, really PC and can't relay simple history without reflecting on the plight of gays, women, indigenous people and endangered animals ad nauseum.

I love history so this class was interesting to me. That having been said, it was still a lot of work. Between weekly text readings, discussions, primary source readings/questions, and a paper you earn your three hours. There is no reason not to make an A in this course except for laziness.

Professor rated by: Liberal Studies (RODP) Student on May 11, 2013

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

HIST 1120

Survey of World History II

5

Pros: Extra credit available

Class can be taken completely online

Professor responds to emails quickly

Exam questions come from the quizzes - exact same questions

Easy A

Can be fun if you do the extra credit trips like going to the Parthenon in Nashville

Cons: History can be boring

A bit too much homework in my opinion, but it can be done and turned in early.

Even though I'm writing this in Spring 2015, I took the class ONLINE in Fall of 2013, so it may have changed since then.

Lykens was a good teacher. His class was simple and easy. His quizzes were setup so that the order of the questions followed the order of the chapter they were based on. His exams were the quiz questions - in their exact format and wording - and could simply be copied from the quiz pages.

Easy A overall.

Professor rated by: Accounting Student on April 6, 2015

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

HIST 1010

Survey Western Civilization I

5

Pros: Makes himself available after class if you need help. Provides 1 opportunity to turn in an assignment late without any points lost. Laid out the schedule for the semester and stuck to it so you were never caught off guard by an assignment

Cons: none

I took this class via distance learning. He responded within the same day if I e-mailed with a question. He always had assignments up early so you knew when deadlines were and had plenty of time to complete them. His tests were very fair and did not contain anything that was not covered. The class was not hard but had a fair amount of work. He provided 3 different extra credit opportunities so everyone could do well in the class. Would highly recommend taking his class

Professor rated by: Nursing Student on November 29, 2012

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

HIST 1110

Survey of World History I

5

Pros: -Straight forward, no nonsense class

-Everything is given for an A

-Very understanding of major problems

Cons: -Online class, homework depends on people responding to each others posts

-A lot of reading

I took this class while away conducting a training exercise for the duration of the semester. I imagine it would have been harder in conjunction with other classes. I did not like the amount of reading and discussions post required, there was a fair amount of sleep deprivation to make the deadlines because I had to wait on others to post discussions. The subject was fun to learn, but I enjoy history so I wouldn't recommend unless you need or want to study this subject.

Professor rated by: Exercise Science Student on August 2, 2013

Helpful Rating?

YES

NO

HIST 1020

Survey Western Civilization II

2

Pros: he's nice I guess

Cons: his lectures are so right winged biased and there are so many typos. Like fix that, you're a professional.

He barely responded to emails, important ones

None of the powerpoints loaded nor did his lectures and when they did, they were lacking

In one lecture he tried to say that slaves were enslaved because they weren't Christians..

He was so behind and unorganized

There is so much work and that would be fine if I actually gained something from it.

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